Tilted-Actuator Microfluidic Pumps and Valves for Stable Perfusion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing microfluidic pumps and valves in fluidic cartridges for organs-on-chips systems face inefficiencies and inaccuracies in fluid control and flow management, leading to suboptimal performance and potential damage to sensitive components.
Innovation Solution
A microfluidic system featuring a tilted-actuator pump with a support plate, fluidic chip, and motor shaft, utilizing compression structures like rollers or caged balls to control fluid channels, allowing for precise switching between open and closed states and minimizing flow transients, along with a bubble-tracking flow meter and gas exchange bioreactor for enhanced fluid management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing pumps and valves are used in fluidic cartridges, then fluid control functions are provided, but flow transients occur and control precision is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic compression structures including rotating rollers and caged balls that actively engage with the fluidic chip channels to provide real-time, adjustable flow control. The compression elements can dynamically transition between open and closed states, enabling precise regulation of fluid flow rates and timing while minimizing flow transients through controlled compression and release cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes physical parameters of the compression structures, such as the position, speed, and force applied by rollers and caged balls on the fluidic chip. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves variable flow control precision and maintains stable perfusion conditions without causing harmful flow transients that would compromise reliability
2Measurement precision
If compression structures are added to control fluid channels, then flow control precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple functions into unified compression structures that serve both pumping and valve functions. The same rotating mechanism with rollers or caged balls can control multiple fluidic channels simultaneously, providing precise flow control while reducing the number of separate components needed. This multi-functional design decreases overall device complexity compared to using separate pumps and valves for each channel
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges the pump actuator and valve control mechanisms into a single integrated compression structure that directly contacts the fluidic chip. By combining these functions into one unified system rather than separate components, the patent reduces device complexity while maintaining precise control over fluid flow in multiple channels through coordinated compression actions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system achieves precise control over fluid flow, reduces flow transients, and maintains continuous perfusion, ensuring the stability and accuracy of fluid delivery to sensitive bioreactor components, thereby enhancing the performance and reliability of organs-on-chips systems.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator having a plurality of compression structures configured to roll against the fluidic chip to control the fluidic channel to switch locally between an open state and a closed state
Implementation Method 2
a fluidic channel formed within an elastomeric material
Data Source
AI summary
Microfluidic systems, pumps, valves and applications of the same are provided. The microfluidic system may be a pump or a valve having a fluidic chip and an actuator controlling the opening and closing of the fluidic channel in the fluidic chip. The actuator may be disposed to tilt from the fluidic chip, forming a tilted-rotor peristaltic pump. Alternatively, the actuator may be a rolling ball actuator, and different fluidic chips may be used in different applications. For example, the fluidic chip may be a spiral pump chip having spiral channels, a rotary peristaltic pump chip having multiple output channels, or a multi-port valve chip having one port interconnected with multiple different ports. An analytical valve chip may switchably interconnect bioreactor and rinse/calibration input channels to sensor and waste output channels. The actuator of a random-access valve can move from one valve position to another without opening or closing intermediate ones.